2013 Professional Development Activities
WestCAST (Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching)
Date: February 22-23, 2013
I attended several sessions throughout this conference weekend in Prince George, AB. It was an absolute honor to have been able to represent the University of Lethbridge and to have gotten to know so many different people with valuable insights on education. The sessions I attended include the following:
1) Using LEAALs (Link, Explain, Analyze, Apply, Link): A lesson planning system to maximize individual student learning and develop effective assessments.
2) Mindfulness Practices: Discussed the benefits and ways to incorporate mindfulness in the classroom so students can feel more relaxed and reflective in their learning
3) Self-Care: Important tips and practices to ensure teachers take care of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We also discussed teacher burnout and preventive measures.
4) Inquiry-Based Learning: empowering students to take ownership & and meet learning outcomes at higher levels of thinking
Dealing with Difficult People and Difficult Issues
Date: January 29, 2013
Presenter: Keith Hadden
This session explored actions that teachers can take to reduce the risk of un-professionalism, safeguard the schools they work in, and effectively communicate with others in hostile situations.
Kids in the Margin
Date: February 1, 2013
Presenter: Carmen Mombourquette
I was very impacted by the stories shared in this session about students who are easily overlooked because they do not show their issues as obviously as other students in the classroom. This makes me more aware of developing relationships with all students in order to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Exploring Online Portfolios
Date: February 5, 2013
Presenter: Kurtis Hewson
This session made me realize how online portfolios should be organic, interactive, and reflective. Rather than creating a professional site to showcase qualifications and experience, I've changed my online portfolio to show my online presence by connecting with others and continually reflecting on my growth.
Date: February 22-23, 2013
I attended several sessions throughout this conference weekend in Prince George, AB. It was an absolute honor to have been able to represent the University of Lethbridge and to have gotten to know so many different people with valuable insights on education. The sessions I attended include the following:
1) Using LEAALs (Link, Explain, Analyze, Apply, Link): A lesson planning system to maximize individual student learning and develop effective assessments.
2) Mindfulness Practices: Discussed the benefits and ways to incorporate mindfulness in the classroom so students can feel more relaxed and reflective in their learning
3) Self-Care: Important tips and practices to ensure teachers take care of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We also discussed teacher burnout and preventive measures.
4) Inquiry-Based Learning: empowering students to take ownership & and meet learning outcomes at higher levels of thinking
Dealing with Difficult People and Difficult Issues
Date: January 29, 2013
Presenter: Keith Hadden
This session explored actions that teachers can take to reduce the risk of un-professionalism, safeguard the schools they work in, and effectively communicate with others in hostile situations.
Kids in the Margin
Date: February 1, 2013
Presenter: Carmen Mombourquette
I was very impacted by the stories shared in this session about students who are easily overlooked because they do not show their issues as obviously as other students in the classroom. This makes me more aware of developing relationships with all students in order to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Exploring Online Portfolios
Date: February 5, 2013
Presenter: Kurtis Hewson
This session made me realize how online portfolios should be organic, interactive, and reflective. Rather than creating a professional site to showcase qualifications and experience, I've changed my online portfolio to show my online presence by connecting with others and continually reflecting on my growth.
2012
University of Lethbridge Anti-Bullying Awareness Week (Oct 16-18):
Anti-Bullying Week Certificate | |
File Size: | 209 kb |
File Type: |
I attended 3 insightful sessions from this event. In Mark Yurick's (ATA representative) workshop Preventing and Dealing with Bullying, he discussed how important it is to be proactive about bullying at the school level. This includes developing a comprehensive schoolwide program or at least being part of one. As a pre-service teacher, I will make it a priority to always inquire about such programs in the schools I will work in, so that I can participate and respond to bullying in a proactive way. Mark Yurick also emphasized on how useful it is to teach students conflict resolution skills so that they can resolve difficulties with one another instead of prolonging the conflict, which inevitably would lead to bullying. Teaching students conflict resolution skills is definitely a strategy I will implement in my classroom when I become a teacher.
University of Lethbridge Education Undergraduate Society (EUS) Sessions:
Reference Letter | |
File Size: | 176 kb |
File Type: |
Creating a Digital Footprint – Kurtis Hewson
This workshop illustrated how important it is for teachers to be able to connect with students as 21st century learners and eliminated the stigma of being easily searched online. Instead, I learned how you can control your digital footprint to showcase your strengths and accomplishments.
How To Teach A Controversial Issue Without Becoming One
– Lance Grigg
This session showed me how teaching a controversial issue can be effective when using a step-by-step approach that is guided by a critical inquiry method. The speaker provided such detailed handouts that can be easily used in the classroom which I will definitely implement!
From Cake Decorating To Welding To Fishing – Teach What You Love!
– Lorraine Beaudin
The speaker effectively showed the incredible variety of CTS classes that I would’ve never known about and provided credible examples of teachers who’ve taught unexpected CTS courses simply because they were passionate about it. This workshop definitely gave me a stronger awareness of how valuable CTS is to students.
This workshop illustrated how important it is for teachers to be able to connect with students as 21st century learners and eliminated the stigma of being easily searched online. Instead, I learned how you can control your digital footprint to showcase your strengths and accomplishments.
How To Teach A Controversial Issue Without Becoming One
– Lance Grigg
This session showed me how teaching a controversial issue can be effective when using a step-by-step approach that is guided by a critical inquiry method. The speaker provided such detailed handouts that can be easily used in the classroom which I will definitely implement!
From Cake Decorating To Welding To Fishing – Teach What You Love!
– Lorraine Beaudin
The speaker effectively showed the incredible variety of CTS classes that I would’ve never known about and provided credible examples of teachers who’ve taught unexpected CTS courses simply because they were passionate about it. This workshop definitely gave me a stronger awareness of how valuable CTS is to students.